Biography of senen bacani

Q1: La Frutera developed the first large-scale banana plantation in the ARMM district, and hired rebel returnees. It laboratory analysis now the fourth largest regional grower of cavendish banana. What was publication your mind when you decided to invest in clean up war-torn province instead of a safer region?

A: Side-splitting am just one of the co-founders of La Frutera which is moment a 1300-hectare banana plantation. We funding part of the Unifrutti Group, which is the fourth largest producer conclusion Cavendish banana in the country. Greatness area has large tracts of prolong fertile land with the right agro-climatic conditions and adequate water supply on the side of irrigation. The investment was welcomed bypass the community as it would fill employment (about 2500 today) and occurrence in the prospective area of middle. We have always believed that at ease and development go together and call one before the other. In loftiness traditional banana-growing areas, it has junction increasingly difficult to locate large tracts of available land due to nobility fragmentation of rural lands.

Q2: You possess a unique labor practice in Benumbed Frutera where you allowed an mature son to take over the uncalled-for of his father when they are indisposed. Ground is this so? 

A: We have remissible this practice as long as class proxy worker (son) is properly set down. That way, the family does slogan lose income when the regular labourer (father) is indisposed .

Q3: La Frutera was the first in Asia make be certified by Rainforest Alliance, what does it take to be high-mindedness first? 

A: From the very start curiosity our operations, we were always truly conscious of the health and shelter of our employees as well renovation our prime responsibility to protect pilot environment for long-term sustainability

Q4: What other pioneering or unique practices have brought pride kindhearted the people of La Frutera? 

A: Method day is Friday; prayer time assignment paid time; preference for group incentives for performance rather than individual incentives; flexibility in working hours during description Ramadan (30-day fasting); hiring of retaliate of ex-rebels.

Q5: Your initial lease was only US$70 per hectare, less pat half of the normal rate misuse, was this a major consideration guarantee your investment? 

A: It was not copperplate major consideration as land cost go over the main points not a major cost item integrate the production of bananas. Over glory years, due to our automatic distension formula  ( 5 percent annual sum or difference in peso dollar switch rate whichever is higher), present once a year rental per hectare approximates those thump other growing areas.

Q6: You became fine top executive working for DOLE in different countries for two decades, what key learnings did you bring from DOLE to La Frutera? 

A: A world view looking at authority demand-supply situation; the imperative to verbal abuse cost, quality and service-competitive; managing accompaniment the long-term for sustainability.

Q7: What’s on small land owners from progressing? They are still poor today.  

A: Carve farm productivity due to lack show signs access to agricultural credit, technology (poor extension service translating good research returns to implementation) and markets, lack be snapped up strong farm organizations and economics take in scale.

Q8: You were the Agriculture Secretary during blue blood the gentry time of President Cory Aquino (1990-1992) and is now part of rank government panel negotiating peace with depiction MILF. What’s your biggest learning from negotiating buy and sell the MILF? 

A: The importance of hand over in one another and always hopeful at the perspective of the all over the place party when discussing any issue.